Cracked Feet, Here’s What You Can Do – Cracked feet can make your confidence decrease, especially when wearing sandals or shoes with open heels. Those of you who have this problem no longer need to feel inferior because there are several solutions to overcome cracked feet that are easy to apply.
Cracked feet occur because the skin in the feet area is very dry. This makes the skin in that area easy to crack. This condition not only interferes with appearance, but can also cause a burning sensation on the soles of the feet.
Cracked Feet Skin Solution
The main key to treating cracked feet is to keep the skin on your feet moist. To get more moisturized skin, you can apply the following tips:
1. Clean your feet with a mild soap.
Clean or soak your feet using soap for 20 minutes. Then, rub dry or cracked feet using pumice stone slowly and dry using a soft towel.
Soaking your feet in soapy water can help treat cracked feet, but make sure that the soap you use to soak your feet is a mild soap. Soaps that contain harsh chemicals should be avoided because they can actually make your skin drier.
2. Use foot cream
To overcome cracked feet, you are also advised to apply a moisturizing cream containing dimethicone . Foot cream with this content is effective in moisturizing dry skin.
You can apply this cream to your cracked feet at any time. However, to optimize absorption, it is recommended to apply it after every shower.
3. Use petroleum jelly
In addition to foot cream, you can also use petroleum jelly to treat cracked feet. Petroleum jelly can restore moisture to the soles of the feet well.
It is recommended that you apply petroleum jelly at night before bedtime. Wear clean, comfortable socks after applying this moisturizer so that the petroleum jelly doesn’t get everywhere.
4. Ensure adequate fluid intake
Lack of body fluids can make your mouth and throat feel dry, as well as the skin on your feet. Therefore, it is important to always meet your body’s fluid needs by consuming 8 glasses or 2 liters of water every day.
If the skin is well hydrated, the cracked feet problem you are experiencing will slowly improve.
Cracked feet are usually accompanied by hardening of the skin tissue or known as calluses . This condition can be treated by applying medication containing salicylic acid .
Cracked feet initially only interfere with appearance, but can also turn into a serious problem when the feet become injured and infected.
If cracked feet have become infected, there will usually be several symptoms, such as pain and redness around the area. If this happens, the doctor will prescribe topical antibiotics .
Tips to Prevent Cracked Feet
To prevent cracked feet, here are some tips you can do:
Keep your feet moist
The soles of your feet are often the part of your body that gets overlooked when you apply moisturizer . So, from now on, don’t forget to apply moisturizer to the soles of your feet at least twice a day, especially after you shower.
Avoid taking too long a shower
Taking a long shower can reduce skin moisture, including the skin of your feet. Therefore, you are advised to limit your shower time, which is around 5-10 minutes only. Then, avoid showering using hot water because this can make your skin even drier.
Wear comfortable footwear
Wear comfortable socks and shoes or footwear that fit well when traveling so that your feet can be well supported. Avoid wearing flip-flops for long periods of time because this can make your feet dry more easily.
Keep your feet warm
Avoid going barefoot when walking on hot floors because the heat can absorb into the skin and make the feet dry. When the air temperature is cold, you are advised to wear socks so that the temperature of the feet is maintained.
Treating cracked feet is not easy. It takes patience, attention, and extra time to restore the condition. If you have done the tips above, but the cracked feet you are experiencing have not improved, consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
